42nd District Citizens Undaunted by Recall Decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2017

42nd District Citizens Undaunted by Recall Decision

Bellingham, WA.

The citizen-led recall of Washington State Senator Doug Ericksen, D-42, was dismissed in court this morning with a finding of “insufficient grounds”. In her decision, Whatcom Superior Court Judge Raquel Montoya-Lewis confirmed that there is no standard expectation of service against which Washington State senators can be judged. Senators are not required to do anything, and therefore cannot fail to meet the standard.

“The performance of Sen. Ericksen in his duties as senator has to mean something,” Montoya-Lewis said. “But there’s no standard that’s laid out in the statutes. There’s no description. There’s no case law that indicates what ‘discharge of his duties under his oath of office’ means.”

Petitioners were disappointed to learn that the remedy of recall is not available when a senator so clearly and intentionally neglects the business of the senate and the work of representing the people of his district.

“It is astonishing to learn that our state senator can just decide not to do his job and there is literally no remedy available to us until he is up for re-election. In my mind, showing up to work is a bi-partisan value” said Elizabeth Hartsoch of Riveters Collective. “Finding sponsors for legislation to close this loophole is a clear path forward for us. As is identifying a responsive and collaborative leader willing to take Senator Ericksen’s seat in the next election”.

“I’m proud of this citizen led effort and the amazing response we’ve had from constituents. Nearly 3,000 people have signed petitions, provided evidence, made calls and participated in this recall effort” said Michael Shepard. “We will continue to be engaged, seeking accountability and effective representation for the 42nd district.”

Petitioners intend to continue holding Senator Ericksen accountable, beginning with attendance at his town hall meeting on Saturday.